Press Digest for Sunday October 19, 2014

The following are summaries of today's major stories published in the Arabic press. LBCI does not edit press digest articles for content, giving English-language readers insight into the various views expressed in newspapers across the Arab world.

• Zahra: Geagea-Jumblatt meeting was positive

Member of the Lebanese Forces bloc MP Antoine Zahra described the meeting held between the bloc’s head Samir Geagea and leader of the Progressive Socialist Party MP Walid Jumblatt as "very positive on all levels," noting however, that this meeting cannot be reliable to solve the political crisis, despite the agreement reached over the need to elect a new president the soonest possible.

In a statement to al-Seyassah newspaper, Zahra stressed that neither Jumblatt nor Geagea are hindering the presidential elections, pointing out that both parties are exerting strong efforts to find a solution for this impasse.

• Derbass: Lebanon can no longer receive any Syrian refugee

Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbass stressed that Lebanon can no longer receive any Syrian refugee.

In this regard, Derbass told al-Seyassah daily that he tackled this issue during his last visit to Kuwait, where he called on the donor countries to abide by their promises to help the Lebanese government deal with the repercussions of the Syrian displacement, which has crossed all the borders.

The minister added that he will inform Prime Minister Tammam Salam of the report he prepared concerning the need that the government takes the necessary measures in this regard.

• Al-Merhebi says Akkar residents innocents of the crimes committed against LAF

Member of the Future bloc MP Mouin al-Merhebi denounced the attacks carried out against the Lebanese Armed Forces, describing them as “criminal acts that aim at destroying the military institution.”

In a statement to al-Seyassah daily, al-Merhebi stressed that the residents of Akkar are innocents of these crimes, noting that “when the young men of Akkar constitute the one-third of the army members and security forces, there is no way that these people are attacking their brothers.”

However, the MP accused a number of groups affiliated with Hezbollah and the Syrian regime of fabricating these troubles.

• Salam says Lebanon stuck in never-ending storm – sources

Visitors of Prime Minister Tammam Salam quoted him as saying that "Lebanon has been stuck in a never-ending storm," noting that the situation has become very complicated with several pending issues that are repeatedly failing to be resolved.

In this regard, an-Nahar daily reported that despite the efforts deployed in order to release the kidnapped troops, the visitors raised question marks over the Qatari and Turkish mediation.